FAQ about OUR SERVICES

In general

01 - What services does AP | PORTUGAL provide?
02 - What are the benefits of having AP | PORTUGAL as your partner for language services?
03 - Why is it so important to work with native language professionals?
04 - How does our quality control system work?
05 - What is TSS?
06 - Does AP | PORTUGAL guarantee confidentiality and non-reproduction of all parts of your projects?
07 - What is data confidentiality?
08 - Is it possible for AP | PORTUGAL to come and pick up our documents at our office for free?
09 - What methods of payment are accepted by AP | PORTUGAL?
10 - What are AP | PORTUGAL's terms of payment?
11 - What is CATTI?
12 - What is CATTI's role?

Translation Services

01 - What is a translation service?
02 - What is a technical translation?
03 - What is a certified translation?
04 - What is an apostille?
05 - What is the difference between a project managed by a freelancer and one managed by a language services company?
06 - What is the difference between a NORMAL service and a NAT+ service?
07 - Who are the professionals involved in the translation process?
08 - Why is not DTP included in a translation service?
09 - How do you price a translation service?
10 - What is the difference between a regular delivery deadline and an emergency delivery deadline?
11 - What kinds of documents and files can AP | PORTUGAL translate?
12 - What is the International Standard ISO 17100?
13 - What can you do if a translation is not up to your expectations?
14 - What is the difference between translation and revision?
15 - What is the difference between revision and proofreading?
16 - What are the stages of a proofreading service?

Interpreting Services

01 - What is an interpreting service?
02 - What is the difference between simultaneous translation and conference interpreting?
03 - What is conference interpreting?
04 - What is consecutive interpreting?
05 - What is whispered interpreting (chuchotage)?
06 - What is liaison interpreting?
07 - What is relay interpreting?
08 - How do you price an interpreting service?
09 - Does AP | PORTUGAL rent out equipment for simultaneous interpreting?

Subtitling Services

01 - What is subtitling?
02 - What are the different types of subtitling?
03 - Is it possible to subtitle any kind of film?
04 - How do you price a subtitling service?
05 - Which formats can AP | PORTUGAL work with when providing a subtitling service?

DTP Services

01 - What is a DTP service?
02 - What is the difference between DTP and pagination?
03 - What formats can AP | PORTUGAL work with when provide a DTP service?

Transcription Services

01 - What is transcription?
02 - What is legal transcription?
03 - How do you price a transcription service?

Localisation Services

01 - What is localisation?

Voice-Over Services

01 - What is voice-over?

In general

01 - What services does AP | PORTUGAL provide?
AP | PORTUGAL provides a wide range of language services: translation, proofreading, interpreting, transcription, subtitling, pagination, voice-over and DTP, content management and communication services. To learn more about our services, please download our brochure.

02 - What are the benefits of having AP | PORTUGAL as your partner for language services?
Every time we start working with new language service providers or translation companies, AP | PORTUGAL initiates an assessment process of your company/project's references, ideals and language level.

At AP | PORTUGAL, we believe that a sustainable partnership is the best way to keep up with the growth of your company and to meet your communication needs. Working in long-term co-operation with a regular client, we can also provide translation memories and a database of terminology frequently used in your project(s), meaning you can work more efficiently and offer more competitive prices.

03 - Why is it so important to work with native language professionals?
A native professional is a local specialist in their country's language and culture. Working with natives therefore guarantees thoroughness, precision, quality, and efficiency in an end project. AP | PORTUGAL works with native speakers of Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, and other languages.

04 - How does our quality control system work?
Each and every step of a project involves a series of strict procedures aiming to ensure our clients a high standard of quality. Our quality control lays on an efficient project management, the choosing of skilled and experienced professionals, as well as on a proofreading process assuring a disciplined thinking in all of our services.

In order to guarantee the highest level of quality in our work, our clients benefit from a 20-day period to analyse and proofread the finished product. To learn more about our quality control system, refer to Quality Control.

05 - What is TSS?
A project will undergo a series of strict procedures every step of the way, assuring our clients a high quality end product. TSS is our Total Satisfaction System. To guarantee the highest level of quality in our work, our clients benefit from a 20-day period to analyse and proofread the finished product. This period begins on the date of delivery. During this period, the clients can ask for further proofreading, correction or adaptation of their documents.

06 - Does AP | PORTUGAL guarantee complete confidentiality and non-reproduction of all parts of your projects?
Yes, we respect professional secrecy and data confidentiality. Please refer to the answer below for more information.

07 - What is data confidentiality?
Due to the nature of the job, AP | PORTUGAL often gains access to extremely confidential information related to documents, contacts, strategies, methods, products and services, as well as clients' data.

AP | PORTUGAL promises not to make use of any details confided to us for our benefit or disclose them to third parties unless granted explicit permission to do so. AP | PORTUGAL recognises the need to respect professional confidentiality. We will never use your data with any purpose other than providing you with a service.

08 - Is it possible for AP | PORTUGAL to come and pick up our documents at your office for free?
Yes, we can come and pick up your projects at your office in mainland Portugal for services over 250 EUR + VAT.

09 - What methods of payment are accepted by AP | PORTUGAL?
The methods of payment we prefer are: bank transfer, cheque, credit card, PayPal. If you wish to pay using another method of payment, please contact us.

10 - What are AP | PORTUGAL's terms of payment?
The client can choose to settle his/her payment as follows:
- Paying the full sum of the service upfront;
- Paying a minimum of 50% upfront and the rest of the value when the project is completed and delivered.
Other payment terms can be discussed for regular clients of AP | PORTUGAL.
For all services provided outside of Portugal, the client must pay 100% of the service upfront.
Quote validity: 30 days.
Subject to availability of the AP | PORTUGAL's team and equipment. Prices shown do not include VAT (legal rate in force).
Both methods of payment below are accepted:
- Retainer (according to workload/number of words).
- Cost per project.

11 - What is CATTI?
CATTI is AP | PORTUGAL's Support Centre for Translators, Transcribers and Interpreters.

12 - What is CATTI's role?
CATTI's role is to:
- work in close co-operation with AP | PORTUGAL's professional colleagues on a national and international level, and to solve any queries and problems they face while working on their projects;
- be involved in the recruitment, management, and the creation of efficient and united project teams;
- provide all monitoring necessary, answering queries and giving assistance in technical or research problems;
- provide help regarding terminology, data collection, and quality control.
Having access to an expansive network of AP | PORTUGAL's professionals enables CATTI to provide support to translators, transcribers and interpreters quickly and efficiently.
Quality and delivery deadlines are both crucial for AP | PORTUGAL's professionals, in partnership with its whole group of worldwide clients, to strengthen and ensure a sustainable professional development.

Translation Services

01 - What is a translation service?
A translation service is transferring content from one language to another. AP | PORTUGAL specialise in technical translation in many areas such as law, politics, economics, science and business. We can translate any kind of document to and from more than 20 languages (Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, German, etc.).

02 - What is a technical translation?
A technical translation is a type of translation requiring specialist knowledge in a given field. To ensure accuracy, AP | PORTUGAL works exclusively with translators who specialise in particular fields.

03 - What is a certified translation?
A translated legal document can be certified by an official organisation, entity or person recognised by the law of the country where it is to have legal value. AP | PORTUGAL has specialist collaborators working in several fields where certification is often demanded, such as law, finance and business. Learn more about certified translations at Chamber of Notaries.

04 - What is an apostille?
An apostille is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in the countries that signed the Hague Apostille Convention. It is an international certification comparable to notarization in domestic law.

05 - What is the difference between a project managed by a freelancer and one managed by a language services company?
A work proposal is set by a certain cost per word. Working with a freelancer, 100% of the quoted price will go towards translation. With a language service company like AP | PORTUGAL, 40% will go towards translation, 18% for revision, 12% for proofreading, 18% for quality control and TSS, and 12% for coordination and CATTI technical support.

06 - What is the difference between NORMAL service and NAT+ service?
A normal service is a quality translation provided by native speaker translators, while a NAT+ service guarantees that your project will be translated by a native translator from the country speaking the language that you wish your communication to be translated to, i.e. an Australian native speaker will translate your project to Australian English.

07 - Who are the professionals involved in the translation process?
A translation service managed by AP | PORTUGAL involves a project manager, a translator, a reviser and a proofreader, each of them working at different stages of your project in order to guarantee the highest quality in the end product.

08 - Why is DTP not included in a translation service?
DTP, Desktop Publishing, is a not a language service. In order to provide a DTP service, AP | PORTUGAL has a highly skilled and experienced team of graphic designers working with the latest software and applications needed for your project, regardless of the language, size, format or platform.

09 - How do you price a translation service?
The price of a translation service is established according to the following criteria:
- Target and source languages;
- Format of the original document;
- Project theme and size (number of words);
- Required delivery deadline.

10 - What is the difference between a regular delivery deadline and an emergency delivery deadline?
The normal delivery deadline of a translation is established by AP | PORTUGAL according to analysis of the document. With emergency deadlines it is the clients who defines the delivery deadline and a percentage will be added to the price of the translation service.

11 - What kinds of documents and files can AP | PORTUGAL translate?
AP | PORTUGAL translates any kind of documents, including CVs, certificates, letters, articles, reports, brochures, catalogues, books, websites, software, etc. Here is a list of different formats that we can work with directly:
- Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- HTML
- XML
- ASP
- INDESIGN
- PAGEMAKER
- QUARK

12 - What is the International Standard ISO 17100?
The Quality Standard ISO 17100, published in 2015 by the International Organization for Standardization, aims at defining quality requirements and to certify translation services throughout the different steps of the translation process - human and technological resources, quality management, project records, legal framework procedure, value added services, and definition of terms.

It includes provisions for translation service providers (TSPs) concerning the management of core processes, minimum qualification requirements, the availability and management of resources, and other actions necessary for the delivery of a quality translation service.

AP | PORTUGAL is dedicated to its mission: to grow through quality. AP | PORTUGAL is one of the few ISO 17100 certified translation companies in Portugal.

13 - What can you do if a translation is not up to your expectations?
If the translation provided is not up to your expectations, please contact us, specifying in which of the following aspects the translation provided does not meet the quality expected:
Syntax/Grammar/Punctuation - phraseology, abiding by rules of the language;
Semantics, terminology - use of specific terms for the subject area;
Spelling - no mistakes or typographical errors (typos);
Style - writing style of the editor/translator.

AP | PORTUGAL will do its best to improve these aspects. That said, a translation is always a reflection of an original text, i.e. the quality of the original text has an influence on the quality of the translation. In addition to translation services, AP | PORTUGAL also provides a wide range of language services, among which are content adaptation and copywriting, so that our client's needs will always meet those of the market.

14 - What is the difference between translation and revision?
A translation service involves transferring contents from one language to another, always taking into account the quality of the original text. After the translation is completed, the revision service makes a comparative analysis between the original text and the target text, making sure that the original text has been respected.

15 - What is the difference between revision and proofreading?
In a translation service, before the translation is sent to the client, all the work is proofread and re-read. This is a mark of quality. In a revision, the original text and the translation are compared side-by-side and analysed, ensuring the translation stays true to the original text and the correct terminology was used. With proofreading, only the translated text is read again, and scanned for grammar, syntax and spelling errors (to learn more about proofreading, refer to "What are the stages of a proofreading service")

16 - What are the stages of a proofreading service?
Proofreading is the last stage of a translation service. Unlike revision, only the translated text is read again.
Translation is just more than a simple transposition from a text from one language to another. Once the translation and revision are completed, the translated text is read again with special attention to the following topics:
- grammar (verb agreement and conjugation);
- spelling (spelling mistakes, diacritics);
- punctuation (pagination, typographic rules of each language);
- phraseology (syntax, speech fluidity, idiomatic expressions);
- coherence (text coherence, sentence formation, vocabulary, omissions);
- language level (tone, formality);
- style (the text must respect the author's style. This does not mean translators cannot have their own style, as long as the quality of the original text is respected).
Each aspect of language has a fundamental role in the quality of the final version of the translation.

Interpreting Services

01 - What is an interpreting service?
An interpreting service involves verbally communicating a message from one language to another, respecting fluency, the language level, and the speaker's tone and convictions.

AP | PORTUGAL provides interpreting services according to your needs: business meetings, conferences, congresses, interviews, training sessions, debates, assemblies and others. We will choose the interpreter most suited to your project according to language and field of expertise to guarantee the highest quality communication for your events. Translating simultaneously to several languages is a routine process in our company. The quality of our end product is guaranteed by the constant monitoring of each step of our work process.

02 - What is the difference between simultaneous translation and conference interpreting?
Simultaneous translation is another name for conference interpreting.

03 - What is conference interpreting?
In conference interpreting, the interpreters are in a soundproof booth. The interpreter listens to the participant and communicates the message in another language through a microphone.

04 - What is consecutive interpreting?
In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter listens either to the whole speech or the speech in short segments and with the help of notes conveys the message heard.

05 - What is whispered interpreting (chuchotage)?
In whispered interpreting sometimes called whispering, the interpreter sits or stands next to the person or people requiring interpretation (a maximum of two people can be accommodated, unless a microphone and headphones are used). The interpreter does not whisper, he/she speaks at a low volume, thus the interpreter and the person listening must be in close proximity.

06 - What is liaison interpreting?
Liaison interpreting involves relaying what is spoken to a group of people. The interpreter translates for the local team when neither group share a common language.

07 - What is relay interpreting?
Relay interpreting is another name for indirect interpreting. It is usually used when there are several target languages. A source language interpreter interprets the text to a language common to every interpreter, who then renders the message to their respective target languages. Relay interpreting is even more useful when the interpretation of a rare or endangered language is needed.

08 - How do you price an interpreting service?
The price of an interpreting service is established according to the following criteria:
- date;
- place;
- time;
- duration;
- theme;
- number of participants or number of receivers/headphones needed;
- how many booths, microphones or sound mixers are needed.

Subtitling Services

01 - What is subtitling?
Subtitling involves writing what is being spoken by the narrator or the characters in film, video, television and presentations to name but a few media. AP | PORTUGAL provides subtitling services through a partnership with qualified studios to guarantee a high quality end product. We translate to more than 20 languages and for several media such as television, cinema, DVD, Internet and mobiles.

02 - What are the different types of subtitling?
Here are the different types of subtitling:
- intralinguistic subtitling, where written text in the same language as the audio is used as an aid for the hearing impaired and hard of hearing or as an educational aid;
- interlinguistic subtitling, the most common in Portugal, where translated text is used to communicate from one language to another;
- multilingual subtitling, serving two communities speaking different languages who share the same physical space.

03 - Is it possible to subtitle any kind of film?
Yes, from television, cinema and DVD subtitling to small internet films (e.g. YouTube and mobile content). Our professionals work on films, documentaries and corporate presentations.

04 - How do you price a subtitling service?
The price of a subtitling service is settled taking into account the duration of the video, the language, theme, original work format, delivery format and deadline, whether or not we can work with the script, and if the subtitling is aimed at the hearing impaired or hard of hearing.

05 - Which formats can AP | PORTUGAL work with when providing a subtitling service?
We can work with a variety of video formats, including: MOV, WMV, AVI, QT, MPEG, MPG, MPE, 3GP, MKV, MP4, RealMedia.

DTP Services

01 - What is a DTP service?
DTP stands for Desktop Publishing. Our highly qualified and experienced team of graphic designers work with the latest software and applications needed for your projects, regardless of the language, size, format or platform. The team has years of experience in graphic design and editing and works with a large variety of tools to meet the market's various demands.

02 - What is the difference between DTP and pagination?
Pagination involves simple Word projects with no editing needed whereas DTP is required for more complex projects in which graphic designers work with specialist applications.

03 - What formats can AP | PORTUGAL work with when providing a DTP service?
Here are some of the tools used in our DTP service: Microsoft Word®; Microsoft Excel®; Microsoft PowerPoint®; PageMaker®; Adobe Acrobat®; Adobe Photoshop®; Adobe InDesign®; Adobe Illustrator®; Macromedia Freehand®; MacromediaFlash®; CorelDRAW®.

Transcription Services

01 - What is transcription?
Transcription involves a transcriber writing down what is said or presented in audio or audiovisual content. AP | PORTUGAL provides a transcription service for the majority of media: cassettes, MINI DV, MiniDisc, CD-ROM, MP3, DVD, VHS, etc. The service most required by our clients is a simple audio service without translation.

In cases where additional translation is required, transcription is done first in the original language. The content will then be translated into the requested language, ensuring the highest possible accuracy. AP | PORTUGAL provides transcriptions in the fields of law, government, academia and economics, as well as transcriptions of assemblies, conferences, interviews, polls, work meetings, minutes, etc.

02 - What is legal transcription?
A legal transcription is an audio transcription of a legal file. AP | PORTUGAL works with a group of professionals who specialise in legal translation for all legal transcriptions and are therefore highly capable of meeting your needs in this area, complying with workload and meeting delivery deadlines.

03 - How do you price a transcription service?
The price of a transcription service is established according to the following criteria:
- recording duration;
- quality of the original audio file;
- delivery format of the original file;
- delivery format expected;
- work language and theme;
- intended delivery deadline.

Localisation Services

01 - What is localisation?
Localisation is the translation of websites or software. AP | PORTUGAL can localise your website or software, adapting work and communication tools to the specific characteristics of each region (language, culture, graphic standards). This will enable your company to move forward with confidence and conquer new markets.

These are the formats AP | PORTUGAL can work with directly without the need for conversion: HTML, XML, ASP, WORD, EXCEL, POWERPOINT, INDESIGN, PAGEMAKER, QUARK (depending on your language pairing).

Voice-over Services

01 - What is voice-over?
A voice-over service is the narration of an audiovisual or radio communication. AP | PORTUGAL's voice-over professionals have expertise in the areas of journalism, theatre and communication, ensuring quality and services that suit your needs.